[Eren knew that Kurusu would be here, of course. It's why he's here now - before Maruki wakes up and realizes all over again that nothing here is only a bad dream.
[He told himself he'd be calm, so he's calm. He never told himself he wouldn't stare. Maybe it isn't intentional, at first; he can watch the boy move about the space as he works without ever being seen, go intercept Maruki at his bedroom door before the smell of food wakes him up.
[At some point, the stare becomes something else.
[Kurusu will know Eren Jaeger. He will know him well and right away. He will know that he has a key to the machiya. He will know that Takuto Maruki is
very
dear
to Eren.
[Memory is both mutable and everlasting; Eren really did believe it when he told Maruki that he and Kurusu's time together still lived in the boy's soul.
[However.
[Kurusu has more ability to hurt Maruki than anyone else in this reality - than anyone else in most. Eren must be present. Eren must be near. Eren is not a friend of Akira Kurusu's. As it stands right now, he's not so much human as a beloved family pet.
[Shadows hang all around the machiya, but Eren moves closer, silent toward the kitchen, stare never wavering. It's not a particularly vicious glare; still a glare.]
You'll see me often. My dear friends rest here. [Oh, but those words do not sound kind.]
I've heard your name, Kurusu. You should learn mine.
hooooooboy
[He told himself he'd be calm, so he's calm. He never told himself he wouldn't stare. Maybe it isn't intentional, at first; he can watch the boy move about the space as he works without ever being seen, go intercept Maruki at his bedroom door before the smell of food wakes him up.
[At some point, the stare becomes something else.
[Kurusu will know Eren Jaeger. He will know him well and right away. He will know that he has a key to the machiya. He will know that Takuto Maruki is
dear
to Eren.
[Memory is both mutable and everlasting; Eren really did believe it when he told Maruki that he and Kurusu's time together still lived in the boy's soul.
[However.
[Kurusu has more ability to hurt Maruki than anyone else in this reality - than anyone else in most. Eren must be present. Eren must be near. Eren is not a friend of Akira Kurusu's. As it stands right now, he's not so much human as a beloved family pet.
[Shadows hang all around the machiya, but Eren moves closer, silent toward the kitchen, stare never wavering. It's not a particularly vicious glare; still a glare.]
You'll see me often. My dear friends rest here. [Oh, but those words do not sound kind.]
I've heard your name, Kurusu. You should learn mine.